How to Choose the Best Hob

There are a lot of aspects to consider when choosing the best hob, from cost to energy efficiency. So deciding what features are important is crucial.

A basic electric ceramic hob can cost as low as PS100 However, you'll need to shell out more for a model with a lot of features. Gas hobs are also a popular option and offer excellent temperature control, however they are pricier.

1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob

This Haier hob comes with four cooking zones with three "Push&Go" functions, and can help you prepare quick meals. It was also one of the quickest tests to boil water, taking just under four minutes. It has the child lock as well as a an pause feature, so you can stop the process in a snap without having to fiddle with controls.

Its design is sleek, modern and is a great match for modern kitchens. It is usually made of glass (shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic, and features controls that are in the same place as the worktop to make it easy to use.

The controls were easy to operate and we loved the display which shows the current power level and which zone is in use. The 'Boost' feature creates high-powered heat for a brief period of time. It is ideal for stir-frying or bringing pots of water to a boil quickly. The hot hob light and automatic shutdown are useful safety features, too.

However it's not as sensitive to touch as other hobs tested in this test. We found it took nine presses on the control to attain the highest temperature as opposed to seven or six on other models. It takes a bit longer for the pan to respond when you change the temperature. It is possible to adjust the settings several times before you get the proper temperature.

The model in 60 cm comes with four cooking zones including a half-flex zone where two areas can be joined together to accommodate larger pans and pots. Dual-ring design permits it to operate on both "normal" and "boost" power levels. Boost is ideal for frying meat, searing it or bringing pots of water to the rapid boiling point.

It is fully integrated with the hOn app and includes hundreds of recipes, a guide to cooking, and 30 special programs that are divided into different food categories and types of cooking. It comes with a user-friendly multislider interface as well as a lockable' control panel, plus it will automatically recognize the type of pan you're using and set the proper cooking mode. It also works with third-party hOn sets and has a range of safety features, such as the control panel that can be locked and boil-dry protection.

2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob

Induction hobs are increasingly popular, whether you're renovating your kitchen or searching for a gas-free option. Prices have dropped dramatically in the past few years. The basic four-zone models are now sold at less than PS100. If you're looking for the latest induction technology, it is worth the extra cost.

This sleek model from Smeg has the latest induction technology to make cooking more energy-efficient and convenient. The Auto-pot detection system detects pots that have dimensions of at least 9cm and automatically activates the appropriate zone.

Smeg's attention to energy savings does not mean that they don't offer flexibility This hob is designed to save power by adjusting the maximum operating temperature of the zones to suit your cooking requirements. Eco-Logic advanced mode enables you to conserve more energy, reducing the power output to as little as 2.4kW.

Testers were impressed by the user-friendly interface of this hob that has intuitive controls that slide along the edges of the hob to follow your pan. The color scheme of the control panel helps you quickly identify the status of each zone, and the 'Flexi Duo' feature allows you to connect two zones together to accommodate larger pans. There are many useful functions including four automatic cooking presets: melting boiling, slow-cooking and keeping warm.

Additionally, the hob has a 'FlameSensor' that warns you when there is a risk of fire or burnt-on food. There are a variety of safety features, including a residual heat indicator as well as an auto shut-off feature if the surface gets too hot.

It's also hard-wearing with the CleanProtect coating that is designed to help it resist tough stains and cooking marks. This hob has nine power levels, a 'FlexiDuo feature' for accommodating large pans and is simple to set up. There are also a variety of bonus features, such as lockable controls and a safety fuse in case of accidental button pushing.

3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob

Induction hobs are powered by electricity and not gas. They make use of copper plates to create magnetic force when a pan or pot is placed on them. They are able to heat up faster than gas hobs and they use less energy since the cooking zone only gets hot when you turn on the pan. They are generally cheaper to operate than gas, and they are also less difficult to clean.

Indesit's induction cooktop is packed of features that will allow you to develop your cooking ideas. It has two separate cooking zones that can be combined to form an Integrated Zone for larger pans and a rapid Booster zone that can bring water to boil quickly. A range of automatic functions such as Push&Go lets you cook your food perfectly at the touch of one button. Nine power modes that include a 'P boost setting that gives each zone maximum power for 5 minutes, can be easily selected with the controls, which are positioned along the bottom edge of the hob to track your pans.

The controls are easy to use and the minimalist design is perfect for modern kitchens. In our tests, it quickly heated up a pan once we placed it on the Booster Zone and boiling pasta water. It took a while for it to cool down after turning off the hob, and our test subjects were unable to determine the exact temperature on the control panel.

This Indesit hob also has the bridge function, which allows you to combine two cooking zones to make larger pans. It comes with a child lock, an overheating block and an automatic switch-off system which stops the hob from working if it gets too hot. The ceramic glass is easy to clean and has no visible flames. Our testers were impressed by the fact that there was no visible flame. Unlike a traditional extractor hood vented hobs draw heat and smoke away from the pan and out of the room via an air duct on the surface. The duct on this hob is easy to clean, but it took two people to remove the filter.

4. GE Induction Hob

Consider how the stove will work with the layout and design of your kitchen, as well as the style of cooking you prefer. Induction hobs are an excellent choice for cooking with children or the elderly in mind. They are equipped with safety features like get more info automatic shut-offs and a cool-to-touch surface. For those who are looking for speed and efficiency using a ceramic glass facia on an electric hob is the ideal choice. For those living in regions prone to load-shedding, having the ability to use gas hobs in power outages could tip the scales in favour of gas models.